toodles on tuesday 2

Wore sapphire blue tailored shirt and grey pinstriped pants to the interview. The director was wearing the same blue in a jacket! It's my favorite color and I think I look well in it. The interview went well. I wasn't nervous and feel like I answered the questions pretty well.

New Dryer: Not working. Bob will be taking it back. They have another one he is going to try. We are getting behind in laundry. Bob took two loads to his parents' house this evening.

Don't like the weather change. Brrrr!!! I am cold right now.

Girls have dental appointments in the AM. Boys had no cavities when they went a couple weeks ago. Hoping for a great outcome from the girls too.

Muttering on Monday

Today I taught all 3 Spanish classes in a row, but a friend watched the 3 youngest kids during the first one so I didn't have to take them to that class. Then another friend kept an eye on them during the second class (different town), so I wasn't worrying what they were doing. That was a load off my mind.

This is what the schedule looks like:
11:45 Leave home (earlier if I need to stop on the way)
12:15 arrive in Oxford
12:30-1:55 Teach Oxford class (5 high schoolers)
1:55 pack up and head out
Drive to Lapeer (25 minutes or so) - maybe do some quick errands on the way
2:45 set up for first class
3:00-4:20 Teach 1st Lapeer class (16 high schoolers)
4:20-4:30 set up for second class
4:30-5:00 Teach 2nd Lapeer class (19 elementary students)

Teaching all three classes in a row is tiring, and today they were all loud! I just wanted to be in a quiet place, but instead I came home with 4 loud children. I had intended to go to Walmart, but my helpful eldest child reminded me that I hate taking all the kids along to get groceries, so I didn't do it. I will stop tomorrow after my interview.

Interview is scheduled for 10:25 Tuesday AM and I am not at all nervous. That's probably because I really don't care too much if I get it or not. It would be fine to get it, but I am OK without getting it too. Well, at least mentally ok. Financially it would be good! lol Trying now to decide what to wear.

The dryer belt broke on Saturday. Bob took it apart and realized he didn't have a replacement. I called around and found one in stock at a place in Flint for $25 +tax (and gas). That's not so awful, but Bob found a dryer at his workplace for sale. With his discount, it was only $3 more than buying the belt (not counting tax and gas, especially since he was already AT the store). He's hooking it up now. Hopefully it works. Can't test a gas dryer in the thrift store. He found 75 cents in the back. LOL

I am really behind on reading and commenting on blogs, so if yours is one of them, please don't despair. I will get there eventually.

David and I have an interesting idea for a new blog. More soon.

Off to accomplish something before bed....

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Interview (L), Lessons
Wednesday - Lessons, Dentist (S,E)
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op
Saturday -
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

My workouts this past week were:
T - Tae-bo 8 minute workout (yes,that's a real workout tape, lol)
W - Tae-bo 60 minute workout
Th - 2 mile run/walk with Suzy
Sa - approx 30 minute run (2.5 miles?)

I managed 4 workouts, even if one of them was only 8 minutes long! None of them happened in the morning though. Except the 8 minute one. Thankfully the weather was warmer than it has been so I ran outside twice. Aiming for 4 proper workouts this coming week. Maybe I can manage to get up and do Tae-bo in the mornings before lessons.

Staying up late has been my downfall this past week or so - usually 2 am before I hit the sack. (Like right now! lol) But I've managed to get up each day and get lessons going at 9 am. I can't keep doing that though. Need to get to bed earlier this week.

I had friends over on Friday since our sledding day was canceled - lack of snow on the hill. We scrapbooked for a couple hours in the afternoon while the kids played inside and out.

More to type, but I'm drained and so I'm off to bed. Maybe I can post a couple quick entries during the week.

The Scrap Report

Scrapbooking Weekend has come and gone. Once again, I'd call it the best Scrapping weekend ever! Every one seems better than the one before. The last one I went on was just about a year ago.

We gathered at Maryann's house on Friday night to start our fun. Maryann's garage was converted into a room several years ago and it's called "The Scrap Room" although it's used for other things too. However, scrapping was one of the main uses and every now and then, we take it over for that again. Here are a couple photos of how we had it set up. I had intended to take a photo mid-scrap so you could see how messy it gets! lol But that photo never happened so all you get is the beginning photos.

Six of us (Lisa, Maryann, Darlene, Carrie, Donna, and Ann) were there to start off and a couple (Jen, Marla) more joined in that evening. Some (Marla, Donna) had to leave Saturday and we missed them terribly. One more friend (Linda) joined us for a while on Sunday. Did I miss anyone?

Maryann's daughter Erin turned 21 Saturday and she commemorated the day in the usual way. A couple of her friends came over for dinner and very tasty cake and then they went out on the town. We joined Erin in a margarita. Happy 21st, Erin!

Each of us signed up for a meal to cook up for the weekend and we had lots of snacks available all weekend. My meal was Taco Pie and salad.

I scrapped 37 pages (mostly two-page spreads) and was stymied by the poor printing job Meijer (Snapfish) did on my photos. I have to return a large stack of them. We shared ideas and Cricut cartridges and paper and stickers and quips.

Movie-watching goes hand-in-hand for my scrapping crowd. Twelve movies found their way into the DVD player this weekend. If you can't imagine scrapping while watching movies (or talking through the films), you would probably not enjoy our weekends! LOL

How do we pick what to watch? Well, anyone who wants to brings a stack of movies they think would be good and we usually take turns choosing. If someone has strong negative feelings about a movie, they get veto power (usually, lol). We often search for films featuring our favorite actors and actresses and pop those in.

These are the films we chose this weekend:
Adam (Hugh Dancy)
The Proposal (Ryan Reynolds)
Confessions of a Shopaholic (Hugh Dancy #2)
Someone Like You (Hugh Jackman)
School of Life (Ryan Reynolds #2)
Australia (Hugh Jackman #2 - notice a pattern? lol)
North and South (BBC, Richard Armitage)
Robin Hood Season 3 - episodes 4 & 5 (BBC, Richard Armitage #2)
Lars and the Real Girl (Ryan Gosling)
Juno (Ellen Page, Michael Cera)
Easy Virtue (Colin Firth, Ben Barnes)
The Hangover (Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha - rated R & not for the easily offended, or even the not-so-easily offended)

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Scrapbooking Weekend Ends (L), Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons, Keepers (S,E)
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons, Homeschool Meeting (L)
Friday - Lessons, Sledding
Saturday - Book Club (L)
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

I managed to get a run in last week, about 3 miles - maybe a little less. I also did one short Tae-bo and one long Tae-bo. So, still only 3 workouts. Aiming for 4 workouts this coming week. Must do in the AM's.

Haven't heard back about the rescheduled job interview yet. Bob hasn't heard back from any of the jobs he's applied for. He works four days this week, but they are SIX hour shifts. So he has to drive in FOUR times instead of three, but has the same number of hours. Sigh.

Scrapbooking was awesome! I will post about that separately.

toodles on tuesday

My interview for Thursday is being postponed. She assured me that it WOULD be rescheduled; they just didn't know when. So, I wait.

At least that frees up my week a little! There were a lot of little things to do to get ready for that (dye roots, outfit, etc.) that I can put off now so I can focus on my can't-wait-for-it-because-it-will-be-delightful scrapping weekend.

All 4 kids had doctor visits today - well child visits at the new office. An old friend works there, which I didn't know; that was a nice surprise! Three of the kids are seeing a PA there (physician's assistant). He was REALLY YOUNG. I mean REALLY YOUNG. Oh wait, I guess that makes me not-so-very young, doesn't it? LOL But he seems very nice and knowledgeable. Emily is seeing a female doctor instead, the same one I will be seeing. She and I both felt more comfortable that way. All the kids got healthy reports.

David and Emily have their new glasses. Whew! Emily was so pleased to have them before she had to go to Spanish, since her others were taped.

I've agreed to speak at a homeschool support meeting next week on the topic of Writing Evaluation. I think I will post about that over on Cornerstone, once I get myself all organized.

Have my Spanish lessons just about ready for Monday, since I won't be able to work on them over the weekend like I usually do. I have the ten weeks outlined, but getting everything printed out and supplies ready for each class does take a bit of time. I do still have to get the homework packets photocopied.

My photos are ordered, my adhesive is purchased, I have some new scrapping idea books from the library. Going to go watch a movie and try to do some power layouts. Might be hard since I don't have the pix yet, though I could go pick them up tomorrow afternoon, if I like. Since I do need to get groceries, I may do that. Oh, and I can do the photocopies at Office Depot. They're having a sale on b/w photocopies - 5 cents!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons, Dr. Appts (D,E,J,S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Dentist Appts (D,J)
Thursday - Lessons, Interview (L)
Friday - Co-op, Scrapbooking (L)
Saturday - Scrapbooking (L)
Sunday - Scrapbooking (L), Church, Youth Group (D,E)

I got called back for a second interview for the Assistant job. I guess they liked me enough to have me come back again. That will be Thursday. I think I'll need to buy something to wear. And do my roots.

Spanish is supposed to start this week, but the co-op class I teach is being postponed a week. That's annoying because I wanted my two classes to be on the same schedule. Argh. The co-op one could end up being canceled, I suppose.

David and Emily ordered glasses and hopefully those will come in toward the beginning of the week. They told me they would be in YESTERDAY, so maybe Monday? James and Suzy were both found to have 20/20 vision, so no need for spectacles!

Birthday sleepovers kept James and David busy Friday night. David was invited to an airsoft birthday "sleepover" (although apparently no one actually SLEPT). So, I took the opportunity to schedule James's belated birthday celebration. He had his two best friends come sleep over (and yes, they DID sleep). I took them twilight sledding (time of day, not literature theme) and we made mini pizzas.

Bob is going to have a new work supervisor. The current one is being transferred to a different store. Changes. Hmmm....

I've got to get ready for scrapbooking and I am hoping to get a lot of Spanish stuff finished. I may have to just settle for making sure I am ready for Monday, at this point. LOL

I did Tae-bo twice this week (60 min and 45 min) and will do it again this evening (probably the short one). No running again. Guess I need some yaktrax if I plan to run outside before March. Wish the treadmill had not blown up. At least I can do the tae-bo. It's an intense workout and it will keep my endurance up.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church
Monday - Start Lessons
Tuesday - Lessons, Eye Appts (D,E,L)
Wednesday - Interview (L), Lessons
Thursday - Lessons, Eye Appts (S,J)
Friday - Lessons, Sci Club (J)
Saturday - No plans?
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

We will be starting back to our lessons in earnest on Monday - enough of this vacation and relaxed schooling. ROFL Guess that means I better write out some lesson plans, eh?

I have an interview on Wednesday. (Yes, this is the one I told some of you about that I left a voice mail and she never called me back. She called me. lol) It's a part time job in Troy - long drive, but pays good for part time. And flexible hours. Or at least not a fixed schedule.

The kids and I have vision appointments this week. Both David and Emily broke their glasses in December and will need new ones. I need bifocals, I think and this current pair (not bifocals) is at least two years old, probably three. James and Suzy are having a screening. They've never had their eyes checked except for the vision chart at the pediatrician.

Speaking of ped, I need to get them into the new doctor for appointments. More paperwork to fill out. And we are changing dentists too - the old one, a pediatric dentist, was quite a drive and I'd rather stay closer to home now that none of them is a preschooler. The six-month checkups were due in November, so I'd better get those scheduled!

Bob works 3 days only this week - M, W, Sat. Not good. Ends haven't been meeting already and a smaller paycheck is NOT going to help. A friend and I have a business venture idea percolating in our minds. (It's the one my dad told me about, if any of you remember that..... Hehe)

I don't plan to jog this week, since it will be very cold. Unless a day comes along that is sunny with no wind. Then I may chance it. I didn't exercise at all this past week - took the week off. I will do Tae-bo this coming week. And maybe I can find a treadmill to run on.

Today (Jan 2), we are "un-decorating". Enough of the Christmas stuff. Ready to have my house back in order. I think we will have some Chex Mix and sparkling juice tonight to celebrate (since I forgot to take it to Maryann's for New Year's, lol).

Also must work today on lesson plans for our week ahead and for Spanish classes which begin again on Jan 11. And have to make a library run. Don't wanna go outside since the temp is in single digits and the wind chill is below zero.

Remind me why I live in Michigan? No good reason, right? I could teach school in Florida. Or Costa Rica, for that matter!

Don't miss last night's post below this one.....

Between Christmas and New Years

Er, um. Been rather silent, haven't I?

The kids had no lessons this week and I was busy writing on my Egypt story. Which I mostly finished. I read a couple books. And I spent time with friends. Oh and I ate whatever the heck I wanted and didn't exercise, not even one abdominal crunch or roundhouse kick.

Wednesday night I went over to a good friend's to watch movies - just her and I. First up was Adventureland. Then we chatted for a while and had naughty snacks. lol Then we watched (500) Days of Summer. We liked both movies, despite one being R-rated (and a tad out of our normal comfort zone and the other being NOT a love story (even though it looked like one). Came home REALLY late and then read the rest of one of my books.

Bob had to work Thursday and Friday, so I made plans with another good friend. I took the kids and we headed up to spend Jan 31 there and then sleep over. Sleepovers aren't just for kids, you know. Our New Year's Eve was rather low-key, or as low-key as it can be with three women, 4 teenage boys and 5 children in a house. We watched some BBC Robin Hood and some other movies, chatted long into the night. Also graded some papers! Yes, really. And I planned out 10 weeks of my high school Spanish class. Hit the hay really really late.

New Year's Day I had planned to go half-off shopping at the thrift store, but instead we just spent time with our friends. Finished watching the 3rd Robin Hood season, including the finale which was quite something. All we could say was "wow". Arrived home in time for the kids to head to bed and me to put in Julie and Julia.

Tomorrow someone is supposed to come look at our camper. We're trying to sell it to pay some bills. Bob is off tomorrow and maybe we'll take down the tree.

The week between Christmas and New Years is so relaxing. And New Year's Day is my very favorite holiday!

Tomorrow.... some resolutions and the progress on my 101 in 1001 challenge.

Updated the blog layout tonight too. You like?

Oh and A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR to you!!!

Weekly Preview

Monday - Writing
Tuesday - Writing & David turns 15!
Wednesday - Writing
Thursday - Writing, New Year's Eve (no plans right now!)
Friday - New Year's Day - thrift store sale!? & More Writing
Saturday - No plans! except Writing. lol
Sunday - Church

I've got a LOT of writing to do, since I've been procrastinating my work. I work best under pressure anyway, right?

The annual half-off clothing sale at my favorite thrift store should happen once again on New Year's Day. I plan to go and buy some new "skinny" clothes, in a size smaller. Some of them may be a little tight, but they ought to fit great within 5 lbs and they'll be good incentive. Plus I need an interview outfit.

Bob is working M, W, Th and F this week. I think it's 9-5:30 each day except once it is 11-7:30

Last week's workouts:
M - Tae-bo (30 min)
W - 3 mile run (hilly course)
Sat - 3 mile run

Tuesday I attempted a "Barbie" workout tape with Suzy. It was HER idea, but she had a little whiny fit in the middle of it and gave up, so I quit too. Got about 10 minutes into it.

I have been averaging only 3 workouts a week since the weather got cold. Once the New Year starts, I will work harder at getting 4 sessions in per week. If I have to do more Tae-bo or aerobics, so be it. I can only run outside if the weather cooperates. I won't endanger myself by running if it is icy.

Christmas Eve Photos

From 2009-12-24

It was HARD to get a satisfactory photo of all four of my goofy offspring! They weren't particularly co-operative and I ended up having to be satisfied with everyone looking at the camera and not making a silly face. Not sure what David was doing with the ornament. lol

I was much happier with the individual photos!

Do you like the shirts? I had given up on the idea of new PJ's for Christmas Eve since we have no money for stuff like that right now. Even though it's a tradition, we were going to have to let it go.....

Then I unpacked the Christmas craft tote and realized I had bought these shirts last year on clearance after Christmas. $2.25 each! Awesome, eh? They all wore PJ pants they already had.

Yeah, I know. We don't even "DO" Santa. LOL Makes it funnier, doncha agree?

Weekly Preview

Monday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Tuesday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Wednesday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Thursday - Lessons, Christmas Eve Service
Friday - Christmas!
Saturday - Clearance Shopping?
Sunday - Church

The kids want to make card houses this week. We don't have anywhere really to go this week, but our plans could change at any moment. I don't have any shopping really to do, since we aren't really buying anything.

Bob is working M, T and Sat this week. I think it's 10-6:30 each day

Last week's workouts:
T - 3 mile jog
Th - Tae-bo (30 min)
F - 2.5 mile run

Gotta step the workouts back up to at least 4 per week.

Hump Day Update

Quick update.

Monday, we did some lessons and then headed out to spend the day at a friend's. She was hosting a scrapbooking day and the kids were going to have their SOCIALIZATION PRACTICE. Every homeschooled child needs this, you know. So, the moms socialized and the kids socialized. People came and people went. We stayed. All night. LOL We haven't seen these particular friends in way too long and the night was so fun! We laughed and laughed. She introduced me and another friend to Tyler Perry, whose movies I'd never seen. We also watched Scrooged. You know, for holiday spirit. Then we talked religion into the wee hours. We are all Christians, but go to vastly different churches.

Daylight came way too early and WHAT? This friend doesn't drink COFFEE! So I was bleary. Headed out late morning, stopping at Meijer on the way for gingerbread house supplies. Mid-afternoon I went for a 3 mile run outside. I took a new route. More hills. Ow. Had to walk some. Plus having only 5 hours of restless sleep probably didn't help too much. lol

The rest of Tuesday was spent in listing books on Amazon and job searching on the internet. OK, I may have played a LITTLE Bejeweled on facebook. So, that was Tuesday.

Oh yeah, and Bob got the big fridge moved into the kitchen! YAY He had Tuesday off. It's not hooked up to water yet. That will be a bigger job since that hookup doesn't even exist yet.

Today, I never even left the house. LOVE that when it's cold and windy. It was Gingerbread House Day here today and pictures will be up eventually at Cornerstone. We watched some Mr. Bean on DVD and had a long lecture (ahem) on expectations and how they would change if anyone here were to be enrolled in public school. Did you know they would have to be at the jr/sr high school around SEVEN AM? Ungodly hour, isn't it? They thought so too.

I did push the kids outside for a while today, but I didn't even do Tae-bo. Tomorrow is another day. If it is sunny and not too awfully windy, I will run 3 miles outside again. If the weather is icky, it will be a Tae-bo day.

Tomorrow I also have to get everything ready for Family Christmas on Saturday - gather all the white elephants together and make sure I have all the goodies made.

Friday we are going to the rec center for a swim party with the homeschool group. The kids are excited about that. They love swimming there and it's expensive so we don't go too often. Read that as Almost Never. We'll stop at the store after for any last-minute stuff and make sure we get a good night's sleep so we can head out bright and early Saturday for the celebration!

Weekly Preview

Monday - Lessons, Scrapbooking with friends
Tuesday - Lessons
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Christmas Pool Party for SOF
Saturday - Family Christmas in GR
Sunday - GR

The kids want to make card houses this week and I want to be sure to get gingerbread houses done sometime before Christmas.

I started selling on amazon.com. Created an account and listed some movies. Going to list books too - a few each day.

Bob is working M, W, Th 10-6:30 and Fri 11-7:30.

Last week's workouts:
S - 3 mile jog
T - Tae-bo (30 min)
F - Tae-bo (60 min)
Sa - 3 mile race (5K)

I had hoped to get one more running day in, but the weather was rather uncooperative.

I've decided to train for a 10K, with my sights set on the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival in June. That ought to be motivating, right?

Blessings

Whining about having no money? No, probably not.

More lists of jobs I didn't get? Boring.

Whining about the cold weather? Gets old.

Excuses about staying up too late? No one wants to hear that.

All the things that are breaking or falling apart? Even I don't want to think about that.

So, because I'm not writing about THOSE things, I haven't been writing much here. I am sure you're tired of clicking here and finding nothing new though. Pictures of James on his TENTH birthday are nice, but they don't really tell you anything NEW, do they?

Yes, my little boy has hit the double digits! My oldest will be FIFTEEN quite soon - amazing, eh? And my second born will be a teen in the spring, making me the mom of TWO of those exasperating and inspiring creatures known as teenagers.

I'm really glad Bob is working and he's adjusting to it pretty well, I think. I wish he had more hours since 32 hours at minimum wage just isn't enough. We continue looking for work. That reminds me, I have a phone call to make.

Have I ever mentioned I hate making phone calls? Well, this phone call is for a telemarketing job. Are those the only people HIRING nowadays?? I can't even get the local grocery store to call me. I even applied at Walmart, for gosh sake. Oops.... Ventured into boring territory there.

Got the tree up Saturday and we decorated on Sunday. Looks Christmas-y around here, although we don't do a LOT of frou-frou. I admire it in other people's homes though. My kids are all excited - snow, pretty tree, stockings hanging. They've been making presents and wrapping them. At least the girls have.

I'm going to try listing some books on amazon.com for sale. Maybe that will bring in a little money. I have three Spanish classes starting in January, and I thought about calling the enrichment program I used to teach for and seeing if we could get that on the schedule again there. Another phone call. Hate making phone calls.

I sorted out our medical insurance. (Bob and I finally qualified for Medicaid again. Thankfully!) Bob really needed to go to the doctor. He hasn't been in a year or so. He was off all his meds since we couldn't afford them. The kids and I changed health plans and hopefully I can get new glasses. I need bifocals, I think. Sigh. We are all going to try new doctors (except Bob). I had enough of the run-around that we got at the old practice. I need to call the new place and get the records transferred over.

Dentist needs a call too. Kids are overdue for 6 month checkups. Sadly neither Bob nor I can go to the dentist. Kids out there? TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR TEETH!

It takes a huge effort to stop thinking about money problems and focus on the kids. They need me to be directing my energy at their education and well-being. It's hard when there is so much stress.

Im not even going to mention the hot water heater.

Let's try counting blessings. That always helps!

• A friend just dropped off a box of goodies. I need to go poke through that. It'll make me feel loved.
• A local ministry is buying some gifts for the kids for Christmas. VERY thankful for that.
• Christmas money came in the mail from a couple different places. THANK YOU!
• I won a prize in that writer's contest I entered a couple weeks ago (and posted about on Cornerstone). When it arrives, I will blog about that.
• Everyone is healthy.
• The medical insurance finally came through.
  
• I'm still losing weight.
• I love having hot water whenever it decides to cooperate.
• We are not (very far) behind in any bills.
• I have book club tomorrow! That's always a bundle of laughs!
• I can find lots of good books and DVD's at the library.
• I'm still homeschooling. (That IS a plus, I keep reminding myself.)
• Bob's remodeling the kitchen to fit the "new" fridge Maryann gave us (was that 2 years ago?! lol)
• Christmas cards are rolling in from loved ones near and far.
• I have internet access in my home.
  
• We are warm and fed and loved.

There, I feel better. I'm going to go make some yummy potato soup.

James Turns TEN!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Decorate Tree, Make Cookies, Youth Group (E,D)
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes, ERRANDS!
Tuesday - Lessons, Young Marines?? (J)
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons, Science Club (J)
Saturday - Santa Shuffle 5K, Book Club

Bob is working M, T, W 10-6:30 and Sa Fri 11-7:30. [UPDATE - Bob asked to work Fri instead of Sat and his boss agreed with no problem. This makes things much easier for us on Sat.]

Still haven't figured out James' birthday. Maybe we'll just be doing a sleepover. I can't figure out a good night either, though! [UPDATE - I think it'll be after Christmas as I think our available weekend dates are all filled.]

I am not sure if we will keep doing Young Marines. Neither of the friends James thought was going to do it with him has done so, and I hate the every-week commitment. Especially in Lapeer. And he hasn't LOVED it.

And Emily is hoping to have a gathering of her friends too, before Christmas, so we have to decide on a time to do that too. [UPDATE - I think we'll end up doing something between Christmas and New Year's for her, too. That changes her plans a little, but I think we can make it work.]

Last week's workouts:
M - 3 mile jog
W - 3 mile jog
Sa - Tae-Bo (60 min)

Yeah, I didn't manage as many workouts as usual. The TV didn't co-operate and life was a little busier. This week I hope to get in 3 jogs (including the 5K on Sat) and 2 Tae-Bo workouts (one long, one short). I'm going to run on the best weather days. I already started out with a 3 mile jog today (Sunday).

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!, Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, James birthday, Young Marines (J), Keepers (E&S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Art class (E&J)
Thursday - Lessons, Ladies Christmas Party
Friday - Lessons, Star Wars Day (D), Living Nativity
Saturday - Living Nativity, Decorating the tree

Bob is working M, T, W, F 10-6:30. He won't be getting 40 hours anymore, I guess. This confirms that he has to keep looking for something else. Working 30 hours a week at minimum wage won't keep us solvent. It also makes it pretty clear that I need to bring in some income.

We are making some Christmas cookies this week and starting our Christmas School. I'll post some at Cornerstone about that.

I'm tossing around some ideas for celebrating James' birthday. He wants to gather a couple friends and go to the Community Center to swim, so I'll see if we can work that out.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 minutes) and 100 crunches
T - Jog 3 miles and 100 crunches
W - Tae-bo (attempted the long video, but pooped out before the end - made about 45 min)
Th - Jog 3 miles
Fr - Tae-bo (short)
Sa - None

The Employment Saga Continues

Tonight I sent out a few resumes and completed an online job app or two. Thought y'all might be interested in the jobs I've applied for recently.

The last three weeks have brought these employment opportunities to my notice, and I've applied for each one.

• Merchandiser
• Dispatcher at a Towing Company
• Special Services Notetaker at a local community college
• Stage Crew at the community college
• Clerical Assistant, also at the community college
• Coordinator of Learning Support Services, one more at the community college
• Any available position at a local grocery store
• Court Researcher
• Manager of a local tanning salon (cuz, ya know, I'm so TAN and all. lolol)
• Leasing Agent for an apartment community
• Teacher/Coordinator at some kind of daycare/preschool or something
• Weekend Assembly work at a temp agency (even THEY don't call me back)
• Office Assistant
• Field Interviewer
• Sales Associate/PreSeller for a portrait company (ok, I am getting desperate, eh?)
• Operations Manager for a nationwide movie rental company
• Nutrition Educator

I am trying hard to identify part-time opportunities that allow either a flexible schedule or non-traditional work hours. For full time, I am only considering options that have really excellent pay or weekends only because it would mean the kids have to go to school. And that isn't our goal.

I'd like to do some tutoring, so if anyone is in need of a tutor, please let me know. Also have considered (gasp) babysitting on a regular basis.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Night of Writing Ridiculously
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, Live Well group
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Thanksgiving here at home
Friday - Writing, go see New Moon? (anyone? anyone?)
Saturday & Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!

Oh wow! This is the last week of the month! How'd that happen? I am only 60% done with the book! Good thing there isn't too much going on this week, so I can write. Or play Bejeweled Blitz.

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days again. At least they are eight-hour days. He will be working 10-6:30 instead of 8:30-5.

The 5K I plan to do has been moved back a week to December 12, so I have another week to get ready. But it also has another week to get COLD. lol

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 3 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 3 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 min)
T - Jog 2.4 miles
W - Tae-bo (60 min)
R - None (too distracted)
F - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - Jog 1.5 miles (tired & twinge in knee)

Going to up the jogging next week and hit a 3 mile run at least once, preferably twice.

Sagas 1 & 2 and 5K Coming Up

James went to the doctor last week and was put on an antibiotic. Well, THIS week, he seems to have turned up with a non-allergic amoxicillin rash. He is covered in red spots. I was going to take him to the doctor, but it turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined.

I called our regular pediatrician. Waited on hold for about twelve minutes before speaking to a human and learning that the doctor is out of town for 2 weeks. Gone to India. The office referred us to the pediatrician on call - he was gone to jury duty. (They can't excuse him during H1N1 season??? Really?)

So, I called HIS replacement and left a message on their answering service, which told me they would call back within 48-72 hours. Reassuring, eh? I then called BACK to our office and asked if James could see one of the family practice doctors. Nope, they were all overloaded, and all call-ins were being referred to the walk-in clinic. Farther away? During flu season? Not really a good idea, in my opinion.

Finally that last office called back and told me THAT doctor had gone home sick. I was talking to the nurse though, and she agreed with me that it was probably the non-allergic amoxicillin rash and James was probably not contagious. Keep giving him the amoxicillin.

But I kept him home from co-op anyway because he just looks so awful. He feels great though! The other kids have gone to co-op but I am home with James.

That was saga #1. Saga #2 involved a hard drive failure which thankfully is covered under warranty. I spent a lot less time on the phone with tech support than I did trying to get ahold of a doctor. lol A new hard drive will be sent to us within a couple business days, and we can get back to business. But everything on that hard drive is toast. All of my stuff is backed up. David and Emily both lost some work, though. Emily was devastated, but David was matter-of-fact. He told me his philosophy is basically "Don't cry over spilled milk" and got back to work typing in his lost 2000 words.

I have finished teaching the first semester of one of my Spanish classes. It will resume again mid-January. Three weeks remain in the first semester of the other Spanish classes.

This coming week appears to be calm - most activities are not being held because of Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that I can catch up with my writing. I am several thousand words behind.

I've been counting calories this week. I've not been recording my food intake in a couple of months, but I've gotten lazy. Next year? I better count calories around Halloween. I am going to try hard to make my goal by mid-December.

I found a 5K race, the Santa Shuffle in Lapeer, that I think I'll run two weeks from tomorrow. There is a fun run for the kids that I may be able to persuade the kids to participate in. Anyone care to join me?


So, fin

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Skipped church; rearranged living room
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines, S&E Keepers
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op
Saturday - Book Club (going to see Shakespeare play!)

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days. :-(

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - None - resting,
T - Kickboxing at church
W - Jog 2.4 miles
T - Tae-bo (27 min)
F - Tae-bo (60 min)
Sa - Painting a room (2 hours or more)

The Tuesday kickboxing class isn't very challenging compared to the other class I took or compared to Tae-bo, but it's a good pace for Emily.

On Wednesday, I jogged TWO MILES WITHOUT STOPPING! I was so excited that I even woo-hoo'd right there in the cemetery. LOL I walked there and back and ran 4 loops. I even did a 20 second speed burst on each loop.

That was the only jog I managed this week - and it was such a nice week too! It's been too chilly for me in the mornings and I only managed an afternoon jog the one time.

I woke up today really sore (in a good way) from the long Tae-bo video I did Friday night, rather late. I worked very hard on it. Today we painted the dining room - mostly David and I - and sparkpeople.com says 2 hours of painting burns 700 calories! So, that was my workout for today - that and scrubbing the floor on my knees.

I'll jog Sunday.

Long-awaited update

I haven't written much of anything here except weekly previews and lists of completed workouts. I haven't had a lot to say, I guess. It's all pouring into the story. Heh heh....

The weather has been a nice surprise - late in the year for an Indian summer, but really nice. This whole week has been gorgeous. Next week also looks to be nice, although chillier with maybe some rain. I can still hang out my laundry on occasion and the furnace isn't running as much, which is nice when it comes time to write that check.

Bob worked Mon-Fri last week and Mon-Thurs this week. He works tomorrow too, which is the Grand Opening of their store. Next week, they only scheduled him four days, one of which is Saturday. Maybe he can use the two weekdays he is off to go apply at some other places. Now that he has some recent work experience, maybe that will help.

David has been busy listing items on eBay. Did you know you can list 5 items every month for free? You pay the final value fee if they sell, but no listing fee. He weeded out his PSP games and is hoping to earn enough money to buy an iPod Touch. He has some money he earned doing yard work for a friend of ours too.

James went to the doctor on Wednesday since he had a sore throat, swollen gland in his neck, and hasn't been sleeping well. The doctor took a throat swab (to test for strep) and wrote him a prescription for an antibiotic. He has been taking it for almost 2 days and feels better - the gland seems smaller. Haven't heard if it was strep or not. She also thought 'mono' was a possibility. If he wasn't feeling better by today, she wanted to see him back again. But he IS feeling better - thankfully. He told me this morning that his throat doesn't hurt when he swallows.

Suzy had bright red cheeks that same day, which is a huge sign a kid has Fifth disease. However, the next day, a lacy rash is supposed to show up on the extremities and she didn't have that, or a fever. So, I don't know what that was all about. I call her healed in Jesus' name!

David and Emily have remained healthy. I've made everyone take Vitamin C a couple times a day and let them sleep in. I bought some garlic for the dreaded garlic/honey/vinegar cure, but I haven't used it. Bob is fighting a sniffle and cough, but that's about it. He often comes down with something in the cold months.

I was supposed to go scrapbooking this weekend with friends, but one friend's son has H1N1 and the other friend is also sick, so we have sadly cancelled our fun times. The kids are bummed because they were going to get to go along as well. Hopefully we can reschedule. So, I guess we can do something family-oriented in the nice weather and we can all write!

Missing? The USB cord for my MP3 player. This will seriously cramp my style! It is a MUST-HAVE.

Stay tuned for details of the insane project I've undertaken since I didn't go away for the weekend.

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8 hours on Monday-Thursday and on Saturday this week. The store opens on Saturday for the first day of business. (Salvation Army in Oxford)

Goal each day is 1667 words. Need to be at 23,000 by Friday.

Sunday - Skipped church; photo shoot
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines
Wednesday - Lessons; Doug FM Free movie night
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons; J Science, Scrapping?
Saturday - Scrapping? And writing


Planned Workouts - S - None, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (long), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

If I go to the Healthy Living class on Tuesday night, then I'll do kickboxing there and change my schedule around. Or maybe I'll just add it to this schedule, since that kickboxing is a rather sedate workout comparatively. I can only go if Bob takes James to Young Marines.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts -
S - 3 mile jog
M - None - resting
T - Jog 1 mile (treadmill problems again! Argh!)
W - Tae-bo (50 min; I skipped the biceps/triceps work)
Th - Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walked there/back; kids went me)
Fr - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - 2.4 mile jog

On Saturday, I had hoped for 3 miles, but I was not in good form and my right Achilles tendon was tight. So, I alternated jogging and walking a bit more than usual and stopped after 4 loops instead of 6.

I tried treadmill jogging on Tuesday, but after about a mile, it overheated. That's what it did before. And not only did it overheat, it also popped the circuit breaker. And now even when I put in the little key thing, it pops the circuit breaker. In my admittedly under-informed opinion, it needs a new motor. This was a free treadmill we got from a church acquaintance. Her basement had flooded and the treadmill was in there. So, it likely got wet. Not sure if we will try to fix it, or just trash it. Hate to trash it. I was so looking forward to using it this winter.

And can I just say, I love Tae-bo?? It's not too hard, but it makes me sweat. Very good workout. Plus there are varying levels and lengths and different workouts so I don't get too bored. And once I've done it a few times, I can turn down the volume and listen to my MP3 player instead.

I do miss my kickboxing classes though. Those were 30 minutes of cardio kick and 30 minutes of strength/toning exercises. I need to add in those crunches and such-like to my routine.

I have just over a month to my goal date and I have 7 more pounds to lose to my goal weight. It won't be quite a year since I started. I need to get intense about that last bit of weight. I've come a long way and I want to hit my mark!

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8:30-5 Monday-Friday this week. That's the most hours he's been scheduled in a week so far.

Since NaNoWriMo begins Sunday, I will be writing like a madwoman all week. Goal each day is 1667 words.

Sunday - National Novel Writing Month begins! Attend Write-in? D&E Youth Party
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines & E&S Keepers at Home
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op, J Sleepover
Saturday - No plans except Writing


Planned Workouts - S - 3 mile jog or a bike ride, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo if time before co-op, Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog